CAMP DENALI, Alaska - To better assist the citizens of Alaska during emergencies, Alaska Army National Guardsmen and Alaska State Troopers conducted a search and rescue exercise near Nome March 13.
The joint training exercise was conducted to test communications during search and rescue operations, but also to build on a relationship that is critical when time is short and lives are on the line throughout Alaska.
"We have a long-standing working relationship with the Alaska Army National Guard, here in Nome, for search and rescue and other emergency operations," said Sgt. Andrew Merrill, the Alaska State Troopers Nome post supervisor.
"In my three years as the post supervisor, we have called upon the Guard on numerous occasions for assistance, but in the past, the only time we've worked together was during actual emergencies. I wanted to make sure Troopers understand Guard operating procedures, so when we work together in the future, we are able to do so safely and effectively."
To simulate the scenario, two troopers joined Guardsmen onboard a National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk, while two more troopers on the ground conducted trail safety patrols.
"We flew between Nome and Golovin, while Troopers on snowmachines looked for individuals simulating injuries on the ground," said Chief Warrant Officer David Stettenbenz, Nome Army Aviation Operations Facility commander. "We performed three rescues, which provided excellent training for us and gave Troopers a better understanding of our capabilities."
Throughout the day, Guardsmen and troopers honed their communication skills, partnered to perform rescues and worked on the little details that can mean the difference in saving a life in Alaska's unforgiving landscape.
"The exercise was a great opportunity for troopers to become familiar with our operations, practice communications from the ground and allow both sides to become more familiar with each other," Stettenbenz said.
On a day when temperatures were hovering around 30 below zero, it was also a lesson on the importance of working together to rescue people quickly and safely.
"In the end, it was definitely a practical training exercise that improved confidence for future operations and provided troopers and Guardsmen more experience working together," Merrill added.